I've lived in the same house in Taipei for over ten years, and I NEVER knew, if you drive over the mountain behind our house, there is the ocean....
5am. Dad and I learned something new about the place we live.
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July 2006 entries
July 30, 2006
July 28, 2006
An Open Letter to Hu Jintao
Lung Ying-tai is an amazing writer and a fearless critic. I photographed her few days ago and discussed some major civil right issues. The meeting reminded me what a crisis our world is at and how much needs to be done. Recently I also realized that the more I know, the bigger the responsibility I have to pass down the knowledge. That's why I decided to put Lung's article here.
My friends… this may seem like a non-interest to you because it is about people in China, but it is as important to them as to you when it is also about civil rights. If our rights can be mutilated to this degree in China, who says that our rights are guaranteed and secured anywhere else? She spoke out for the issue and why shouldn't we. This article was released on many major newspapers around the world.
July 25, 2006
Tee Hee Hee
Monsie said that what I write is too deep. Maybe too serious? That's why no one leaves me comments, dude!? I know so little... so it would be great if I get to know how other people think!! Please, please, pretty please? But let's talk about something fun today :P
BLACK EYED PEAS in TAIPEI!!
Yawen and I had a fun night with the peas last night. At first, we were worried... are we really that lame? The stadium was still empty when the opening band came on! (as you can see in the first picture)
But I guessed we weren't lame. More people came, more glow sticks waving back and forth, things warmed up and Yawen and I warmed up, too.
"Where is the love.... lala... Taipei's love kicked the typhoon away. Taipei, Taipei, Taipei, most beautiful girls are in Taipei!~" (rapping)
Power to the People
On June 27th, 2006, Taiwanese people recalled their president. Witnessing the passion Taiwanese people have for their country and their bravery to exercise their citizenship, I know that we have finally walked out of the shadow of autocracy. Even though Chen Shui-bian escaped this bid to recall a president, the voice of Taiwan's people was loud and clear.
Taiwanese people demonstrated to the Chinese population around the world that power is within the people. We can do it; you can do it.
I am proud to be a Taiwanese citizen.
(The photographs is of a college student who went on hunger strike to call for President Chen to step down. Today is the thirty first day of college students' silent strike and the sixth day of the hunger strike.)
July 24, 2006
Be Present?
People say, "Live in the present." I believe this as the essence of the art of happiness. Yet, an e-mail I received recently got me thinking more about its complexity- If we do live in the present, does it mean that we don’t need to plan for the future? Do we live with whatever comes in our way, as long as it makes us feel good? What kind of happiness is truly nourishing and worthwhile? If we pick up whatever happiness that is most convenient, will we miss out on something greater right around the corner?
After a whole day of Hawaiian-blue sky and uncalled for down pour interlude, Typhoon Kaemi hits Taiwan tonight. Dad and I are home both to avoid the fierce wind and occasional falling beetle nut trees and to have our first dinner with Mom away traveling. I brought up my questions and thoughts at the table… and we came up with these humble ideas.
Choosing the kind of happiness should be easy.
If it is love, it should be without doubts and reservations. The difference between love and liking is that the first is confident and a devotion of an undistracted self (be present!) and that the later is uncertain. It is all appearance and ultimately unsatisfying if the relationship is ever hurtful and arouses doubts. For example, if one person cheats, it is a statement that he or she isn’t able to be present with this form of happiness. This violation of love’s principle evokes pain and should only be counted as liking. Some people claim that they can forgive because it was a one-time only mistake and I think that is great. But, it needs to be a true act of “forgive” and “forget.” If not, without letting it go, doubts remain and no one will ever be truly happy. If something is “right” its affect should be both calming and lasting. Dad explained to me through a Chinese saying, temporary happiness is like knowingly drink a glass of poisonous water out of thirst. (Maybe it is not THAT serious… but getting stuck in a hurtful happiness do us no good… maybe you will also miss out on other things that are beautiful right by your side!)
“Love means knowing when to let go” - Tony Parsons.
Listen to me rambling here while I spent a great part of my life getting stuck in a love that was uncertain and unhealthy! Haha. It is true though, during my experience, I almost missed Sara, I almost lost Arrington, and I almost forgot the feeling of true happiness.
Love is easy. Love is simple. Love is joyous.
Look at me getting distracted and talking about love here! I hope the guys reading this blog aren’t going to have to… um… go puke. I’m sure this one girl knows what I’m talking about though. Even though this is how I think, I want her to know that I know how she feels I am here supporting whatever is her choice of happiness. She is also stronger than me.
On the other hand, as a normal human being who is not so flawless, I chose to be present with my kind of happiness, which is playing with Kubi.
July 23, 2006
July 22, 2006
The First Time
I read an article titled “The First Bite Of An Apple” on a Taiwanese newspaper few days ago. It got me thinking: Do I remember my first bite? No… But how can I not, isn’t it my favorite food? Wouldn’t the surprise be so momentous that I’d never forget?
I wish to recover the ability to be fascinated and be delighted by everything, like a child. It is to have an appreciation for little things and a simple fact of living.
I want to remember the first time I learned to tie my shoes, amazed by my new muscles and coordination to make a pretty bow, ALL BY MYSELF! I want to remember how sweet the air can be. I want to be fascinated by colors and remember that not everyone can see. I want to remember the feeling when I first heard “I love you.” I want to remember the rarity of a loyal and selfless friendship.
The moment when you are laughing is the moment when you are truly living in the present.
Even this. I want to remember the first time I farted and how funny that must have felt.
July 17, 2006
Thailand, Nowhere Else
After a three hour and forty minutes flight, I landed in Bangkok, Thailand, with a little duffle bag and a big heart. This country holds a special place in me and I always feel like going home to it.
Sometimes I wonder what may the special formula behind this country: a place that has never been occupied by foreign states, unaffected by the World War I and II, without the threat of famine, and is called the land of smiles. It may be the location, the weather, the fact that it is 97% Buddhist or a simple luck, but I can not find one perfect answer.
One day I went Ayuttaya to see the famous Buddha head sculpture which was almost totally engulfed by a Bodhi tree, same as the kind under which the Buddha reached enlightenment. I couldn't leave for hours then came back to it the next day at daybreak. The beam of sunshine on the sculpture seemed to tell a certain story of the power of faith and something more than we can explain.
Another day, Men, Nam Som, Am, Dang Mo, Rachael and I went to the lush green rice fields. We were caught, somewhat voluntarily, in an afternoon storm. We ran wild and let the rain wash us through till the sun majestically returned as if the storm was just a dream. It felt like the rain drenched my soul clean and now I can start over. After, we biked back to the village by stacking two or three on a bike and picked some fruit from the trees on the way. Unsatisfied by the short storm, water fight was in action. Our little monkeys, Men and Am, also climbed the leichi tree to shake off some artificial rain for Rachael and I.
Nam Whan and Nam Som are two sisters receiving scholarship from Thai Circle, my non-profit. One day, I watched them get ready for school when the day was yet awakened. I could have easily complained about my lack of sleep, but, to these two teenages, having anything more than 5 hours of sleep is something worth celebrating. Every night, they study and help out with house chore till the streets turn quiet except the geckos. Nam Whan's eyes were still puffy when she carefully polished her treasured black Velcro school shoes, which were all she has besides her flip-flop. Nam Som gulped down last night's leftover noodle by the window and shared some with the roosters waiting by the house. The wooden floor creaked as these two girls walked back and forth, preparing for another day of school. School days are exciting for Nam Whan and Nam Som and they see education as the most precious gift they've ever received. What a different world they live in.
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